One piece roof
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: So CaL
One piece roof
I'm thinking of getting one of the Astro one piece roofs but I want it to block the sun so I was wondering if painting the inside of it would work? Car is white. Not sure what type of paint/coating to use and if it would stick or if it would need to be sanded before painting.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 246
Likes: 15
From: Pell City AL
I heard a lot of mixed reviews about Astro tops so I drove to their shop in Florence when I was considering the purchase. The top cracked as the guy was putting it on. Needless to say I passed.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I recall being at the ncrs show here in orlando/kissimee,
One fellow was talking about the astro top said well it's good to slap on a car you wanna just sell,
the other guy replied, that top might keep people from buying the car.
All dissing aside for the price they want you can get a nice set of fiberglass tops....
One fellow was talking about the astro top said well it's good to slap on a car you wanna just sell,
the other guy replied, that top might keep people from buying the car.
All dissing aside for the price they want you can get a nice set of fiberglass tops....
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
I'm thinking of getting one of the Astro one piece roofs but I want it to block the sun so I was wondering if painting the inside of it would work? Car is white. Not sure what type of paint/coating to use and if it would stick or if it would need to be sanded before painting.
You could paint it yourself but take an honest look at what you need to buy to paint it yourself, paint, materials to prep, sand, etc.. And your time. And it won't cost much more for a pro shop to just simply do it, might actually be cheaper.
I'd paint the outside because they are tinted as far as I know and the tint might look funny over the interior paint. Have to check to see.
Painting the outside would look better, like another panel of the car and not like a bolted on top.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 129
From: Plainfield IN
No reason you couldn't paint it. Just drop it off at your local auto repair place with your exterior color code and for little money it is painted perfectly to match. That way you know it would hold up in weather, etc..
You could paint it yourself but take an honest look at what you need to buy to paint it yourself, paint, materials to prep, sand, etc.. And your time. And it won't cost much more for a pro shop to just simply do it, might actually be cheaper.
I'd paint the outside because they are tinted as far as I know and the tint might look funny over the interior paint. Have to check to see.
Painting the outside would look better, like another panel of the car and not like a bolted on top.
You could paint it yourself but take an honest look at what you need to buy to paint it yourself, paint, materials to prep, sand, etc.. And your time. And it won't cost much more for a pro shop to just simply do it, might actually be cheaper.
I'd paint the outside because they are tinted as far as I know and the tint might look funny over the interior paint. Have to check to see.
Painting the outside would look better, like another panel of the car and not like a bolted on top.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
They pass the 10 perhaps for some 5 foot test but and I hate to sound this way, a vette deserves better, I do a lot of kit car and buggy stuff and I wouldn't rate the astro top high even in the old vw kit car world, kind of depends on a persons standards.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,179
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From: STANTON CA
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 129
From: Plainfield IN
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
They do look good. I even like the looks of them better than my mirrored glass t-tops. If it weren't for the concerns expressed here I'd consider selling my glass panels and getting one.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
About one in 12 people who actually own one like it,
I had mirror tops on my 81, I didn't like them and kept the headliner in them, I also had a set of plastic tinted tops in an 81 these were I am guessing aftermarket but used a factory latch or close to it, and I have had fiberglass roof panels,
and then the astro top,
I like fiberglass tops painted to match the car the best of all,
My plastic tinted tops were 1/2 as nice as glass tops and still way better than a astro top,
To me the astro top seems home made, the weather strip and hardware in stuck on and on mine the trim looked really cheap,
I will not argue they look good on the car but they attach with a bolt screwing into a clear plastic block, I just do not see it as top end,
But with all that said, I just recommend anyone who is thinking about buying one, be sure to see one in person first pictures do not tell the whole story, and hold it, if after that you dig it then buy it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I had a 76 Cougar and 77 Lincoln with power sunroofs. I almost never drove with the sunroof open and I've only had my t-tops off once (which I did mostly just so I could say I had done it). I just like being able to look up and see out the roof, it seems luxurious to me. and gives a car a jewel like quality. As for the wind in my hair, I don't care much for that.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Wind in my hair...since my hair is to my waist I don't dig that much either, I understand that feel you get looking out the top, but I also do not dig the sun, oddly, I like a full convertible better as I feel more free less in a fish bowl...but yeah, I recall the "feel" the 81's had.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I find the tint in my glass tops sufficient so that the sun doesn't bother me. The day I did take the tops off the sun was too warm on my head and I thought, I'm not going to be taking these off in midday again. That's where the power sunroof was nice in the Cougar and Lincoln. The glass was tinted but you also had a sliding inner panel that blocked out the sun completely which you'd often want on a hot summer day at high noon. Out of the 40 or so cars I've had I miss that Lincoln the most. Sometimes I think I'd rather have that back than the Corvette.